Life in general is so overwhelming

[TeamNegan]

I’ve felt like this for years, I’m 31 now and remember feeling it from maybe about 13, just like I’m not meant for this world. I’m not sure how to explain it, but I often feel like I can’t cope with anything. I’ve always had to work part time because there’s never enough time to fit everything in, but I don’t really do anything.
For example, I’m not even working at the moment, I’m at uni but not due back until Feb and I’ve been off since December. I have assignments to do but otherwise it’s really really basic daily things like cleaning and cooking that make me feel like I’ve never got time to do the “fun” stuff, I can’t fit in seeing my family (not at the moment obviously anyway, but you’d think that would give me more time??) and just feel like everything is too much. I don’t even have children and my husband is super help so why do I feel like this?

To top that off I resent being born into a world that I fundamentally don’t agree with its society structure, the idea that you HAVE to work more than enjoy your life and anyone who doesn’t is lazy/useless. But you have to work to live any kind of life anyway, even when you feel rubbish all the time.

Does anybody else feel like this?

I have been diagnosed with depression and anxiety but I don’t really feel these fit. I’ve been medicated and had therapy and it’s made no difference to how I feel overall.

Bit of a vent. I don’t have any friends which brings me down too, I just really want a friend that I can natter with about anything and everything but there’s no one

I could have written this, except im single and a bit younger. Its a horrible feeling isn't it....I just feel like I cant 'do life'. I dont understand how everyone else just manages to cope. I dont have any advice sadly but you're not alone x

Thanks @thimble41, I’m sorry that you feel the same way but it’s nice to know that someone gets it. It’s so hard isn’t it? I’m feeling particularly bad at the moment because my life is “easy” in comparison to lots of people dealing with the covid fall out, but it’s such a struggle every single day x

I can only give practical suggestions, such as ensuring you aren't suffering SAD by using a lightbox each morning and making sure you aren't low or deficient in vitamin D, magnesium, zinc, iron etc. Making sure that you're getting out into nature each day and doing things which re-energise you.

I’m the same and beginning to wonder whether I have ADHD as I fit a lot of the criteria.

I understand where you are coming from and to some extent can relate.

I am however in a slightly different situation than you and have a full-time, high pressured job which I hate. When I had a job that I liked it gave me a sense of achievement that didn't make it all seem so bad. I did however worry about other things constantly. I have a strong feeling that part of the reason everything always feels too much is anxiety related. I am constantly worrying that I am not doing things right, things will go wrong and what's going to happen next... even when I'm supposed to feel happy. I think a lot of it stems on perfectionism and being too conscientious. If you try to do everything perfectly, then you will feel that even the smallest things are too much. Do you have this problem too?

I totally agree the balance of work and stress to life is every wrong in the modern world. I hope I can retire early and live a bit of life before it's too late but fear that to do that I will need to work myself to the bone for 20 years. I'm not sure I have that in me....

The only other suggestion that was given to me is, can you think about what energises you? What do you enjoy doing (that you don't put off because it seems too much)? Is it that you are going down the wrong career/life path that doesn't play up to those areas?

I also feel like this so can sympathise OP. I have done to a greater or lesser degree since early teens too, and now I’m mid forties. It’s an exhausting way to live. I wish I was able to just let things go and live in the moment - but my brain is relentlessly whirring away trying to sort things out in my head, thinking about what I should be doing, worrying about work/relationships - have I forgotten something/am I doing things right. Just wish I could ‘do life’ better and in a less mentally effortful way!
I’ve not found a solution - am now trying medication fingers crossed that will help. I also find getting outside walking helps and losing myself in something - music/good film/tv - that can provide some relief.

I think I came to the realisation that to have a friend, you need to be a friend.

I am like this. My teen is in process of being diagnosed with inattentive ADHD.
I've always thought she's so like me. Can't focus or finish tasks. I thought it was like me again just lazy and procrastinating!
When it was flagged up she had all the symptoms of inattentive ADHD it was a lightbulb moment.
I did a little research and I'm 100% sure I have this too. My brain is full at all times. Mundane tasks overwhelm me. I have a good job but work part time and cannot even imagine how others work full time. The days I work I cannot do anything else when I come come. I'm totally burnt out.
I never ever can get my 'to do' list done. Every day I go to bed feeling like a failure.
I'm an underachiever and always look backwards thinking oh if only if worked harder. I knew though when I was at school and uni what needed to be done and an hours work would take all day.
Please look into it. It sort of explains all those years of struggling and just feeling like I was lazy